1 Dead, 50 Displaced Following Leisure World Apartment Fire

SILVER SPRING, MD — A woman has died and approximately 50 residents have been displaced after a large fire tore through an apartment complex in Leisure World early Saturday morning.

The three-alarm fire broke out at 15210 Elkridge Way — a gated community for people ages 55 and older — around 1:30 a.m., and caused about $2.5 million in damage, according to authorities.

It is not yet clear what caused the fire, but Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer said it likely started on a third-floor balcony and extended to the roof. More than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was finally extinguished several hours later.

Shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Montgomery County police said a woman was found dead in her apartment. No foul play is suspected.

Officials say the Red Cross is providing assistance to impacted homeowners.